Date: 7/21/2009
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Mrs. B
<br><br>Shame on me.  I can assure you that if a list were to be compiled of the most organized folks around, my name wouldn't even make it to the bottom of the page.  I recently agonized to Angie the fact that I had not kept a list of all the names associated with weddings, funerals and baptisms that I had been privileged to be a part of.  I have been so blessed to be allowed to walk with different families through the most wonderful days of their lives as well as the most heart-wrenching hours of their mere existence.  It is quite the humbling feeling to be allowed into someone's inner circle, regardless of  what their experiences happen to be at the time.   <br><br><br>This past Monday I was once again blessed to be a part of another family celebration.  No, this celebration didn't have anything to do with someone walking down the aisle  or washing away the old man of sin.  This celebration followed the death of one of God's finest servants and one of Fairfield's most dedicated members.  Some would perhaps be offended at calling a person's funeral a celebration, but most of those offended would probably not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, nor have a hope of spending eternity with him.  Mrs. Beatrice Batts was not one of those people.<br><br><br> Mrs. Bea Batts smiled ..... a lot.  During what seems to be my short, 4-year experience around the fine Batts family, I don't know that I can ever remember a time being in the presence of Mrs. B when she wasn't smiling.  I never knew Mrs. B when she was in what we would consider to be “good health”.  My arrival at the Fairfield Church of Christ found her sitting with her family at the end of her pew either with a walker in hand or seated in a wheelchair ..... but always with that same smile on her face.  Later, after she began calling Hickman Co. Nursing Home, “home”, I would go visit her, perhaps not expecting as many smiles but with a few more grimaces and a few more frowns.  But alas, I was always wrong.  One step inside Mrs. Batts room and you would be greeted with that same familiar Mrs. B grin.  During those last couple of years, I never once heard her complain or express any dissatisfaction about where it seemed her final days would be spent.  She would just always tell me she knew it was the best place for her and that it would make it so much easier on her family, especially her three boys, Mike, Steve, and Tracy.  She would always proudly point out a new picture or two of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren, of which she had plenty of both.  In what many people would consider to be one of the more unpleasant places around, Mrs. B was able to make her room at the Nursing Home friendly, kind, welcoming ...... and I guess just sort of  “homey”.  <br><br><br>The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:  Rejoice!”  Mrs. Batts proved to all those around her that it was possible to “rejoice in the Lord always”, even if it meant doing it  in the midst of difficulty, frustration and pain.  She learned a long time ago that “always” doesn't just mean when things are going well and when life is falling into place exactly how you had planned.  Along with joy, Mrs. B taught so many other lessons on patience, contentment, and the acceptance of God's plan for our lives, whatever it may be.  Though not a gambling person, I would put every cent I have on this fact ..... Mrs. Bea never smiled or rejoiced as much in her life as she is doing this very minute :)                                  <br><br>  Go the extra mile - Devin<br>